Astros GM Will Regret 'Drunken Sailors' Comment After Rangers Find Hidden Gem

New Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow isn't in the best position to be criticizing the Texas Rangers, given, well—he's overseeing the Houston Astros.

On top of that, the Astros will find themselves in the same division as the Rangers in 2013.

But Luhnow certainly isn't shy about expressing his feelings.

According to Hardball Talk, Luhnow said on Friday that the Rangers were spending like "drunken sailors" in Latin America, referring to their signings in the past year.

The Rangers didn't take too kindly to Luhnow's words.

Rangers president Nolan Ryan, who used to be a star for the Astros and the Rangers, responded via the Dallas Morning News:

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I wish I had something witty to say. But my mother always told me that if I don’t have anything nice to say then to just be quiet.

"

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels added:

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I couldn’t be more proud of what our scouts and coaches have accomplished with the support of ownership. No need to respond to comments like that.

"

Despite playing in the same state, the Rangers and Astros have never had much of a rivalry, given they play in separate leagues.

But that could all change in 2013, when the Astros join the Rangers in the American League West.

That's why Luhnow isn't exactly being the smartest general manager. These are, after all, the Rangers, who have been to the World Series two years in a row.

The Astros, on the other hand, have had just two winning seasons since they went to the World Series in 2005. Last season, they went 56-106. Oh yeah, and they don't have Hunter Pence anymore.

The worst part for Luhnow and the Astros is the Rangers, the drunken sailors that they are, could find some hidden gems in Latin America and rub it in Luhnow's face.

They signed Cuban outfielder Leonys Martin to a five-year, $15.5 million deal last May and picked up Dominican outfielders Ronald Guzman ($3.5 million) and Nomar Mazara ($5 million) a few months later.

They also signed Dominican outfielder Jairo Beras earlier this week for $4.5 million, which may be the biggest reason for Luhnow's comments. Beras is widely considered to be 16 years old, which would mean teams couldn't sign him until July 2.

Is this the start of a budding rivalry?

If so, the Astros better starting adding some talent quickly, or the Rangers are going to be gunning for them—Latin American stars and all.

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